Little Stoke Farm Petition 1471 - 1483
From the National Archive
Description
Petitioners: Humphrey Forster, esq.; Sybil Forster, wife of Humphrey Forster,
and widow of Robert Poyntz, esquire.
Name(s): Forster; Forster, Humphrey; Sybil
Addressees: Prince.
Nature of request: The Forsters show that they were for a long time seised of
an estate in fee in Stoke Gifford, otherwise called Little Stoke in right of
Sybil Forster, and were seised until Berkeley forcibly and riotously disseised
them and ousted their farmers and occupiers wrongfully and without any just
cause, and still occupies the same, and they can have no speedy remedy by the
law of the land considering that Berkeley is of such great might in the county,
and the petitioners do not reside in that county. The Forsters request that
letters missive be directed to Berkeley commanding him to appear before the
prince's council at a certain day to answer the complaints, and to show his
title if he has any, and if he fails to do so that further action be directed to
be made as is thought right for the speedy relief of the petitioners.
Nature of endorsement: [None].
Places mentioned: Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire; Little Stoke,
Gloucestershire; Uley, Gloucestershire.
People mentioned: [Edward Plantagenet], prince [of Wales]; William Berkeley
of Uley.
Date derivation: A cover note preceding this file of petitions indicates that
the petitions SC 8/344/E1262-E1316B mostly date to the period 1481-1483, and
nearly all appear to belong to the period 1471-1483, this latter date being the
dates that Edward Plantagenet, Edward IV's eldest son, held the principality of
Wales and the county of Chester. This petition is dated to the latter range,
1471-1483 because there is no evidence that would allow a narrower dating.
Image from the National Archive
